There was initial hope that Eddie Jackson might’ve avoided a serious foot injury against the New York Jets on Sunday. Sadly, further tests have revealed otherwise. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the star safety suffered a significant Lisfranc injury. It is a ligament inside the foot that is crucial to its function. Players that endure this injury always end up having season-ending surgery requiring three months of recovery. It is a brutal blow for Jackson, who was in the midst of his best season since 2018.
This is a rough setback for the Chicago Bears defense. Jackson was their best player after losing Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith to trades. The unit has been reeling for over a month, allowing 30 points per game. Without him patrolling the back end, it figures to get a lot worse in the coming weeks. Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, and Kirk Cousins remain on the schedule. If Mike White can have the game he had on Sunday, it’s terrifying to think what might happen next.
One must feel bad for Eddie Jackson.
He was well on his way to his third Pro Bowl with the year he was having. There was a chance for him to match his career-high of six interceptions in a season. The fact he was doing it with a league-worst pass rush makes it even more impressive. Thankfully Lisfranc injuries heal well. They aren’t on the same level of severity as a torn ACL or Achilles. If the surgery goes well, he will be ready to go for training camp next year. The question is what the rest of the defense will look like when he returns.
On the bright side, this is a big opportunity for DeAndre Houston-Carson. He has served as a backup in Chicago for years. While known primarily for his special teams work, the former 6th round pick has played well in limited snaps on defense. He doesn’t have Jackson’s range or instincts, but he’s not bad. He and Jaquan Brisker might form a serviceable tandem. Maybe this will help people appreciate him a bit more. All one can do is hope Eddie Jackson returns as his old self next summer.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
